The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-11


sure that no shadow had fallen upon their
lives. Their eyes met mine in respon-
sive sympathy, and it always helped me
to speak when these lovers were before
me. But by and by there came change
i think 1 was not long in detecting it
and after while the little wife used fire.
quently to come to church alone. The
bright face grew more and more sorrow-
full, and my heart ached for both hus-
band and wife. When CHANGED to meet
the former his manner was always COR
dial and sincere, but he seemed singular
ly absorbed and preoccupied. One day
inquired of the wife the reason of this
change. I felt it my duty to let her
know that had observed it.
"'Why,' she said, Il don't suppose that
have any cause for complaint. My hus-
band has never spoken cross word to
me or given me a cross look. 1 wish he
would she added, the tears streaming
down her cheeks, for then we might kiss
and make up like other folks. I suppose
I am very wicked this poor child went
on desperately, but 1 have sometimes
wished that my husband had the faults
of some other men, for I would much
rather he would drink and be loving af-
terward than to be as he is, irreproacha-
BILE and Indifferent. Once he praised
everything did. Now he never seems
to have the slightest idea that 1
have taken pains to please him. I
think I might be dressed in deepest
mourning or brightest scarlet, and he
would not observe the difference. Some
women seem to live and do their work
without enthusiasm, and appear to care
very little for the appreciation and SYM
pathy of those nearest and dearest to
them, do not belong to that class. 1
could forgive seventy times seven, make
all sorts Of allowances, if could count on
love as solid foundation. But indiffer-
ence freezes my spirit as the cold blasts
Of winter freeze the body
81 tell you my friends" our pastor
went on, "this man was not strikingly un-
like many OF his sex in accepting kind
nesses and sacrifices from his wife as
matter of course. This husband was
the most astonished man that ever saw
when called his attention to the altered
appearance of his wife. He had not in
| tended to be unkind or neglectful. The
newness had worn off the marriage rela-
lation somewhat, and business reverses
and complications which he had been
trying to keep from his wife-had helped
to make him appear more Indifferent than
he really was. He promised me there
should be radical change, and there
was. The very next Sunday afterward I
saw the old, radiant look on my young
friends face as she nestled up to her hus.
band, who seemed quite as happy as she,
and thanked God from the bottom of
my heart that I had been allowed to be
of service in this crisis"
This story went home to many heart
and conscience that night, can tell you.
had stealthily wiped the tears away all
the time our pastor had been talking,
and I am sure was not the only one
My only regret-and I am sure it was
natural one under the circumstances
was that my husband was not present.
But everything seemed overruled for
good that night. AS I was passing the
desk on my way out there stood John
shaking hands vigorously with the pastor,
and his face was all aglow.
"Now, Kate" he said, as we got out
into the friendly darkness, his arm about
my waist as in the dear old days, we will
stop right where we and thank God it
isn't any worse. That lecture has brought
me up by the round turn. I was never
hit SO hard in my life, but it has done me
good. Poor grill How utterly mean and
contemplate have been. Tell me that
you forgive me, and I will try with
heavens help and your dear love, to be all
that husband ought to be-"
And he has been ever SINCE Eleanor
KIRK, IN the Christian Union.